FROM   THE  LIBRARY   OF 

REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 

I 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


IMvtaloir 
SccUon 


703,9 


\J^  M1^^ 


HYMNS  FOR  YOUNG  CHILDREN 


(3%> 


HYMNS 


FOR 


YOUNG   CHILDREN 


BY 


// 


MARY  ELIOT  PARKMAN 


Privately  Printed 
1895 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/youngchiOOpark 


These  Hymns  were  written  about  1854,  by 
Mrs.  Samuel  Parkman,  for  her  own  children, 
and  were  afterward  printed  for  the  use  of  some  of 
her  friends. 

They  are  now  reprinted  in  answer  to  many  re- 
quests from  those  who  have  found  them  valuable 
and  helpful. 

E.  T.  V. 
Boston,  Dec.  1895. 


CONTENTS 


PART   FIRST 

Page 

God  made  me 3 

God  loves  me 4 

Christ  teaches  me 6 

God  sees  me 8 

The  Birth  of  Christ 10 

Spring 12 

Morning             13 

A  Prayer 15 

Evening 16 

<'The  Sea  is  His  and  He  made  it"         .         .  18 

"God,  which  holdeth  our  Souls  in  Life"         .  20 

Christmas 22 

PART    SECOND 

The  Resurrection 27 

Prayer 29 

"Bear  ye  one  another^s  Burdens"     .         .         .32 

The  Star  of  Bethlehem         ....  35 


Vlll 


Page 
Luke  xviii.  35         ......      33 

Forest  Hymn 40 

St.  Mark.  Chap,  iv 43 

''Death  aud  Life  are  in  the  power  of  the 

tongue" 46 

Sunday 49 

"Jesus   saith   unto  him,   I  am  the   Way,   the 

Truth,  and  the  Life"         .         .         .         .51 

Morning 53 

Evening 55 


PART    FIRST 


HYMNS 


GOD  MADE  ME. 


I  NOW  am  but  a  little  child ; 

My  hands  are  weak,  my  strength  is  small ; 
Yet  I  can  seek,  and  I  can  love. 

The  Lord  Almighty,  God  of  all. 


He  gave  my  life  to  me  at  first; 

He  loves  the  little  child  He  made; 
He  keeps  me  safe  through  all  the  day. 

And  guards  me  when  in  sleep  I'm  laid. 


If  I  obey  and  love  His  law. 

He'll  teach  me  all  I  need  to  know. 
And  take  me  in  His  arms  on  high 

When  I  have  lived  my  life  below. 


GOD  LOVES  ME. 

God  cares  for  every  little  child 
That  on  this  large  earth  liveth: 

He  gives  them  home  and  food  and  clothes; 
And  more  than  these  God  giveth: — 


He  gives  them  all  their  loving  friends; 

He  gives  each  child  its  mother; 
He  gives  them  all  the  happiness 

Of  loving  one  another; 


He  makes  the  earth  all  beautiful ; 

He  makes  thine  eyes  to  see; 
And  touch  and  hearing,  taste  and  smell, 

He  gives  them  all  to  thee. 


What  can  a  little  child  give  God  ? 

From  His  bright  heavens  above 
The  great  God  smiles,  and  reaches  down 

To  take  His  children's  love. 


CHRIST  TEACHES  ME. 

When  I  can  read  the  Bible, 

In  the  gospel  I  shall  see 
How  our  dear  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ, 

Was  once  a  child  like  me. 


I  shall  read  how  He  was  gentle. 

And  obedient  alway; 
And  how  He  grew  in  the  love  of  God, 

And  the  love  of  man,  each  day. 


1  shall  read  how  God  declared  Him 

His  well-beloved  Son; 
And  how  he  made  the  blind  to  see, 

And  the  lame  and  crippled  run; — 


How  He  blessed  the  little  children; 

How  he  bade  the  storm  be  still ; 
And  how,  through  all  His  holy  life, 

He  did  His  Father's  will. 


And  when  I  pray  to  God  to  show 

The  daily  path  to  heaven, 
I  will  thank  Him  that  Christ  came  on  earth 

That  my  sins  might  be  forgiven. 


GOD  SEES  ME. 

Through  all  the  busy  daylight,  through  all 

the  quiet  night, 
Whether  the  stars  are  in  the  sky,  or  the  sun 

is  shining  bright; 
In  the  nursery,  in  the  parlor;  in  the  street,  or 

on  the  stair, — 
Though  I  may  seem  to  be  alone,  yet  God  is 

always  there. 

Whatever  I  may  do, 

Wherever  I  may  be. 
Although  I  see  Him  not. 

Yet  God  sees  me. 

He  knows  each  word  I  mean  to  speak,  before 
the  word  is  spoken; 

He  knows  the  thoughts  within  my  heart,  al- 
though I  give  no  token. 


When  I  am  naughty,  then  I  grieve  my  heav- 
enly Father's  love ; 

And,  every  time  I  really  try,  He  helps  me 
from  above. 

Whatever  I  may  do, 

Wherever  I  may  be. 
Although  I  see  Him  not, 

Yet  God  sees  me. 

I  have  kind  and  tender  parents ;  I  have  many 

loving  friends: 
But  none  love  me  as  God  loves  me;  and  all 

that's  good  He  sends. 
I  vi^ill  walk  as  God  shall  lead  me,  while   the 

sun  is  in  the  sky; 
And  lay  me  down,  and  sleep  in  peace,  beneath 

His  watchful  eye. 

Whatever  I  may  do, 

Wherever  I  may  be, 
Although  I  see  Him  not, 

Yet  God  sees  me. 


10 


THE  BIRTH   OF  CHRIST. 

Onc?:  in  the  land  of  Palestine, 

In  the  dark,  quiet  night, 
Some  shepherds,  who  were  watching  sheep, 

Saw  a  great  shining  light. 


And  with  the  light  an  angel  came, 
Who  spake  a  mighty  word, — 

That  Christ  was  born  in  Bethlehem, 
And  He  should  be  the  Lord. 


Then  suddenly  a  glorious  host 

Shone,  singing  in  the  sky, 
"Peace  to  the  earth,  good-will  to  men, 

Glory  to  God  on  high  !" — 


And  told  the  shepherds  they  should  find 

Christ  in  a  manger  laid. 
The  shepherds  straight  to  Bethlehem 

Went,  as  the  angels  bade, — 


And  found  the  fair  and  heavenly  child 

All  as  the  angels  said: 
And  much  they  wondered  Christ  the  Lord 

So  lowly  should  be  laid. 


They  saw  the  young  child's  mother 
Watch  o'er  Him  as  He  lay: 

Then  giving  thanks  and  praise  to  God, 
They  went  their  homeward  way. 


12 


SPRING. 

The  ice  and  snow  are  melted; 

The  running  brooks  are  seen; 
And  over  the  brown  meadows 

The  grass  is  growing  green. 


The  leaves  are  on  the  trees  again; 

The  birds  come  back  and  sing; 
The  flowers  soon  will  be  in  bloom: 

How  beautiful  is  spring! 


O  God  !  how  sweet  and  lovely 
Thou  makest  all  I  see  ! 

How  shall  I  thank  Thee  fitly 
1^'or  all  Thy  gifts  to  me  ? 


13 


MORNING. 

When  the  bright  sun,  returning, 
Brings  back  the  busy  day. 

Before  you  feel  temptation, 
Kneel,  little  child,  and  pray. 


Thank  God  for  peaceful  slumber. 
For  the  day  that  He  has  given; 

And  pray  that  you  may  use  it 
To  make  you  fit  for  heaven. 


Think  over  what  may  happen 
To  lead  you  to  do  wrong; 

And  pray  that  God  will  help  you 
In  obedience  to  be  strong. 


With  a  loving,  gentle  spirit, 
Kneel,  little  child,  and  pray 

That  God,  who  watched  your  sleeping. 
Will  watch  you  through  the  day. 


(^ 


15 


A  PRAYER. 


O  MY  good  and  gracious  Maker  ! 

May  I  love  Thee  as  I  ought  ! 
Let  me,  by  Thy  loving  guidance, 

Into  all  good  ways  be  brought. 


]\Iake  me  love  my  Lord  and  Saviour, 
Who  so  much  hath  loved  me; 

And,  when  life  on  earth  is  ended, 
Let  me  live  with  Him  and  Thee. 


i6 


EVENING. 

The  day  of  work  and  play  is  done: 
The  time  has  come  for  sleep: 

O  God  !  through  all  the  hours  of  night 
Do  Thou  thy  children  keep! 


Through  all  the  day,  by  Thy  command, 
The  sun  shines  bright  and  clear; 

And  now,  at  night,  by  Thy  command, 
The  shining  stars  appear. 


Thou,  Whom  the  sun  and  stars  obey, 

Uost  also  care  for  me: 
I  pray  that  thou  wouldst  make  me  rest 

Through  this  night  quietly. 


17 


Forgive  what  I've  done  wrong  this  day; 

Help  me  to  better  things; 
And  keep  me  in  Thy  sheltering  love, 

As  birds  'neath  mothers'  wings. 


Now  that  the  light  of  day  is  gone, 
Keep  me  from  foolish  fear; 

And  let  me  close  my  eyes  in  peace, 
Assured  that  Thou  art  near. 


i8 


'THE  SEA  IS  HIS  AND  HE  MADE  IT." 

Thou,  who  didst  make  the  fair,  green  earth. 

Didst  also  make  the  sea  ; 
And  all  its  beauty  and  its  power 

Are  given  and  ruled  by  Thee. 


Poured  from  the  hollow  of  Thine  hand, 

It  flows  the  world  around  ; 
Yet  never  do  its  mighty  waves 

Pass  their  appointed  bound. 


Their  bound  may  be  the  craggy  rock, 

Or  the  soft,  velvet  sand  : 
There  do  the  tides  arise  and  fall. 

As  Thou  hast  given  command. 


19 


Through  the  bright  waters,  far  and  wide, 

A  myriad  fishes  roam  : 
Strangely  and  beautifully  made, 

They  fill  their  ocean  home. 


Where  the  dark  waves  break  coldly  o'er 
The  iceberg's  glittering  side  ; 

And  where,  by  some  green  island  shore, 
The  rippling  waters  glide  ; 


From  east  to  west,  from  north  to  south, 

The  waves  obey  Thy  will ; 
And  Thou,  who  mad'st  the  sea  at  first, 

Dost  rule  and  guide  it  still. 


20 


"GOD,  WHICH  HOLDETH  OUR  SOULS 
IN  LIFE." 

When  I  was  first  a  living  child, 

God  gave  my  life  to  me  ; 
And  every  hour  that  I  live 

He  giveth  graciously. 


For  growing  better,  every  day, 
My  life  on  earth  was  given ; 

And,  when  my  body  dies,  my  soul 
Shall  live  with  God  in  heaven. 


A  faithful  and  obedient  child 
The  Lord  will  surely  bless  ; 

And,  after  death,  the  soul  will  live 
With  Him  in  happiness. 


21 


I  cannot  tell  how  long  my  life 
Upon  this  earth  may  be  ; 

But  I  know  my  spirit's  life  will  last 
To  all  eternity. 


I  will  thank  God,  My  Father, 
For  all  His  gifts  to  me, — 

For  all  the  pleasant  things  I  have, 
The  lovely  sights  I  see  ; 


But  I  will  thank  Him  more  than  all, 
That,  when  my  body  dies, 

He  promises  to  take  my  soul 
Unto  His  paradise. 


There,  with  the  dear  ones  who  are  dead. 

And  so  are  gone  before. 
And  with  our  blessed  Saviour,  Christ, 

Is  life  for  evermore. 


22 


CHRISTMAS. 

'Tis  Christmas  Day  !     Glad  voices 

Repeat  the  pleasant  sound  ; 
And  happy  faces  in  our  home, 

And  loving  looks,  abound. 
Why  do  we  thus  greet  Christmas  morn  ? 
It  is  the  day  that  Christ  was  born. 


With  little  gifts  that  tell  our  love, 

With  garlands  on  the  wall, 
With  thankful  hearts  and  helpful  hands. 

We  keep  a  festival. 
Why  do  we  thus  keep  Christmas  morn  ? 
It  is  the  day  that  Christ  was  born. 


23 


Full  eighteen  hundred  years  ago, 

Christ  Jesus  came  on  earth, 
He  came.  He  lived,  He  died  for  us  ; 

We  thank  God  for  His  birth  ; 
And  therefore  we  keep  Christmas  morn. 
The  day  our  Saviour,  Christ,  was  born. 


And  on  this  Christmas  morning. 
When  the  frost  is  at  the  door, 

Dear  child  !  in  your  warm  pleasant  home, 
Think  of  the  sick  and  poor: 

So  shall  you  well  keep  Christmas  morn, 

The  day  our  Saviour,  Christ,  was  born. 


Christ  healed  the   sick,  and  helped  the  poor. 

When  He  was  on  the  earth  : 
Do  what  you  can  to  be  like  Him 

This  morning  of  His  birth  ; 
Help  some  one  to  keep  Christmas  morn, 
The  day  your  Saviour,  Christ,  was  born. 


PART  SECOND 


27 


THE  RESURRECTION. 

It  was  early  in  the  morning 
On  the  first  day  of  the  week, 

When  three  loving  women  hastened 
Their  buried  Lord  to  seek. 


As  they  came  into  the  garden 
By  the  early  light  of  day, 

They  saw  that  from  the  sepulchre 
The  stone  was  rolled  away. 


They  looked  into  the  sepulchre 
In  wonder  and  in  fear — 

And  there  sat  a  shining  angel 
Who  said  "He  is  not  here." 


28 


"He  is  not  here  but  risen," 
Were  the  words  the  angel  said 

Of  the  well-beloved  Master 

Whom  they  had  mourned  as  dead, 


Then  homeward  the  three  women 
Went  wondering  away — 

And  the  angel  sits  beside  the  tomb 
For  all  men  since  that  day. 


For,  as  our  Lord  has  risen, 

So  shall  His  followers  rise 
From  the  grave  where  we  have  laid  them 

Unto  Him  in  Paradise. 


And  Christians  all  bear  record, 

Of  "the  Lord's  Day,"  as  they  speak 

Of  our  Saviour's  resurrection 
On  the  first  day  of  the  week. 


29 


PRAYER. 

"Pray  without  ceasing,"  said  our  Lord, 

"Ask  for  the  gift  ye  want, 
And  that  which  ye  in  faith  shall  ask 

God  will  in  mercy  grant." 


So  taught  our  Saviour,  and  His  life 
Followed  the  precept  close ; 

What  light  is  set  us  for  our  lives 
In  precious  words  like  those  .•* 


First,  that  no  spot  is  on  the  earth 
But  is  a  place  for  prayer, 

For  wheresoever  we  may  be, 
Our  father  too  is  there. 


30 


In  every  trial,  great  or  small, 

We  may  entreat  His  aid, 
And  when  God's  help  is  humbly  asked 

A  fitting  prayer  is  prayed. 


No  mortal  heart  may  know  our  need, 

No  mortal  help  be  near, 
But  even  our  unspoken  word 

Will  reach  our  Father's  ear. 


We  need  not  seek  for  solitude 
To  pray  with  anxious  care, 

Wherever  duty  leads  our  steps 
Is  our  fit  place  for  prayer. 


To  each  of  us  temptation  comes. 
And  when  we  see  the  snare, 

And  even  when  our  feet  have  slipped 
Is  the  fit  hour  for  prayer. 


31 


When  we  are  joyful  in  the  life 

Which  God  has  made  so  fair, 
A  loving  thought,  "We  thank  thee,  Lord," 

Is  an  accepted  prayer. 


So  in  our  times  of  trouble, 

Of  labor,  or  of  care, 
Breathed  from  the  bottom  of  our  heart, 

"  Lord  !  help  us,"  is  a  prayer. 


32 


"BEAR    YE    ONE    ANOTHER'S 
BURDENS." 

**Bear  ye  each  other's  burdens," — 

Whoever  hears  that  word 
Hath  a  commandment  spoken  straight 

Unto  him,  by  the  Lord. 


And  something  that  is  helpful 
We  each  of  us  can  do  ; 

Not  only  men  and  women 
But  every  one  of  you. 


r^or  many  are  the  burdens 
That  on  our  lives  are  laid, 

And  many  times  in  many  ways 
We  each  of  us  can  aid. 


33 


Whatever  weight  our  brother  has 
Of  sorrow  or  of  care, — 

That  is  his  burden, — that  it  is 
Our  love  should  help  him  bear. 


Perhaps  by  active  service, 
Perhaps  by  kindly  thought, 

Perhaps  by  simply  loving 

Our  purpose  may  be  wrought. 


Free  footsteps  for  the  weary, 
Low  voices  for  the  sick, 

And  in  the  little  rubs  of  life 
A  kindly  thought  and  quick. 


Devices  for  the  fractious  child, 
Patience  with  those  that  tease. 

Oh  !  dearest  children,  do  not  say 
"What  Httle  things  are  these  !" 


34 


Begin  with  little  labors 

Fit  for  your  little  strength, 

So  grow  in  grace — until  ye  hear 

Your  Lord's  "Well  done"  at  length. 


35 


THE  STAR  OF  BETHLEHEM. 

When  Jesus  in  Judea  was  born 

To  be  our  King  and  Priest, 
There  came  unto  Jerusalem 

Wise  men  from  the  East, 


Saying,  "  Where  is  the  King  now  born  ? 

For  we  have  seen  His  star, 
And  we  to  seek  and  worship  Him 

Have  journeyed  from  afar." 


Those  words  amazed  King  Herod  much 

And  all  Jerusalem, 
And  craftily,  with  evil  thoughts 

He  sent  and  answered  them, 


36 


And  bade  them  go  to  Bethlehem, 
Because  the  scribes  had  shown 

The  Saviour  surely  should  be  born 
In  that  despised  town. 


Then  went  the  Wise  Men  on  their  way, 

And  lo  !  the  lonely  star 
Moved  on  before    them    as  they  moved, 

And  led  them  from  afar. 


Joyful  were  they  to  see  this  star. 
And  straight  it  led  the  way, 

Until  it  stood  above  the  house 
Wherein  the  young  child  lay. 


They  entered  in  and  saw  the  child. 

And  then,  as  it  was  meet, 
Their  gold  and  myrrh  and  frankincense 

They  laid  before  his  feet, 


37 


And  worshipped  him  who  was  the  Lord. 

Then  they  departed  home, 
But  warned  of  God  they  chose  a  way 

By  which  they  did  not  come. 


38 


LUKP:  XVIII.  35. 

Beside  the  Road  to  Jericho,  upon  a  summer 

day, 
A  poor  blind  man  sits  begging  of  those  that 

pass  that  way ; 
He  hears  the  footsteps  of  a  crowd,  and  when 

he  asketh  why, 
They  answer    him    that    Jesus    of    Nazareth 

goes  by : 
He  cannot  reach  Him  for  the  crowd.  His  face 

he  cannot  see, 
But  he  cries  "Oh,  son  of  David,  have  mercy 

upon  me." 

Those  that  go  by  rebuke  him,  and  bid  him 

hold  his  peace, 
But  not  for    their    rebuking    will   Hartimeus 

cease  ; 
And  again,  amid  the  multitude,  he  cries  out 

earnestly. 


39 


**Jesiis,  thou  son  of  David,  have  mercy  upon 

me." 
The  Saviour  pauses  on  His  way,  that  piteous 

cry  to  hear, 
And    straightway    gives    commandment    to 

bring  the  blind  man  near. 


"What  wilt  thou    that    I  do   to  thee?"  the 

gracious  Saviour  says  ; 
**  Lord,  that  I   may  receive   my  sight,"  the 

man,  believing,  prays. 
**Thy  faith  hath  saved  thee,"  saith  the  Lord; 

then  speaks, — "  Receive  thy  sight ;" 
And  thereupon  the  blind  man  can  see  the 

lovely  light, 
The  summer  skies  above  him,  the  crowd  that 

fills  the  place. 
And  lift  his  thankful  eyes  unto  his  gracious 

Saviour's  face. 


40 


FOREST  HYMN. 

You  have  read  how  God  made  all  the  earth, 

And  saw  that  it  was  good, 
Now  come,  my  precious  children, 

With  me  into  the  wood. 


There  in  each  graceful  flower, 

In  every  stately  tree, 
God's  fine  and  curious  handiwork 

Our  loving  eyes  may  see. 


The  pleasant  path  leads  winding  on 
Through  glancing  light  and  shade, 

And  like  a  carpet  for  our  feet 
The  brown  pine  leaves  are  laid. 


41 


An  arch  is  bent  above  our  heads 

With  boughs  of  many  trees, 
And  down  the  glade  the  broad  green  fern 

Is  waving  in  the  breeze. 


Beside  the  path  in  clusters  close 
The  starry  mosses  stand  ; 

Millions  of  tiny  plants  and  each 
Fashioned  by  God's  own  hand. 


The  slender  roots  that  spread  so  wide, 

The  stalks  upspringing  tall, 
Fine  folded  leaves,  and  blossoms  bright, 

He  has  contrived  them  all. 


The  life  that  is  in  every  tree, 

In  every  velvet  sod, 
The  growth  that  is  so  wonderful 

Is  given  all  by  God. 


42 


And  He  has  given  this  wondrous  world 

To  be  enjoyed  by  you  ; 
Rejoice,  my  darlings,  in  the  wood, 

And  oh  !  be  thankful  too  ! 


43 


ST.  MARK.     Chap.  IV. 

The  multitude  was  gathered  by  the  sea  of 

Galilee 
The    Saviour's   blessed   words  to  hear,  His 

wondrous  works  to  see, 
And   all  day  long  He  taught  them,  as  they 

crowded  on  the  strand, 
From  a  little   open   vessel,  just   pushed  off 

from  the  land. 


He  looked  upon  the  people  who  had  come 
from  far  and  near. 

He  knew  the  different  reasons  that  had  gath- 
ered them  to  hear. 

He  saw  them  eager  outwardly.  He  knew 
their  inmost  need, 

And  He  told  them  of  the  sower  that  went 
out  to  sow  his  seed ; 


44 


Of  the  stony  ground,  the    shallow  soil,  the 

wanderers  of  the  air, 
And  the  few    seeds   on    the   good  soil  that 

sixty  fold  did  bear. 
The  holy  Teacher  framed    His    words  with 

care  and  gracious  art. 
That  the  parable    might    catch  the  ear  and 

sink  into  the  heart. 


At  nightfall   He  was  weary,  and,  as  the  day 

was  o'er, 
Bade  His  disciples  put  across  unto  the  other 

shore. 
They  pushed  from  land,  they  took  their  way 

across  the  waters  deep, 
And  in  the  hind  part  of  the  boat  the  Saviour 

lay  asleep. 


Not  yet  its    twilight    passage   did  the  little 

boat  perform 
When  down  upon  that  fickle  sea  there  swept 

a  sudden  storm  ; 


45 


The  sky  is  dark,  the  wind  is  fierce,  the  wild 
waves  fill  the  boat, 

"Master,"  they  cry,  in  mortal  fear,  "we  per- 
ish, carest  Thou  not  ?" 


Ah,  fools  and  blind  !  to  tremble  thus  beside 

their  loving  Lord  ! 
He  rose  and  the  wild    tempest  was  silent  at 

His  word  ; 
He  chid  the  wind  and  the  wind  hushed,  the 

frowning  sky  was  cleared. 
And  He  said  to  His  disciples,  "How  is  it  that 

ye  feared  ? " 


"Have  ye  no  faith?"     Dear  children,  in  the 

tempests  of  our  life. 
When  stormy  wills  or  sorrowing  hearts  fill  all 

our  way  with  strife, 
Be  not  fearful  nor   disheartened  though  the 

waves  your  boat  should  fill, 
Be  sure  if  Christ  hath  sent  you  forth,  that  He 

the  storm  can  still. 


46 


"DEATH    AND    LIFE    ARE    IN   THE 
POWER    OF    THE    TONGUE." 

Oh  !  little  lambs  of  Jesus'  fold  ! 

Dear  children  of  the  Lord's  ! 
Bethink  ye  of  the  power  and  might 

Of   lightly  spoken  words  ; 
How  your  words  are  but  the  signal 

Of  the  secret  heart  within, 
And  may  be  a  gracious  token 

Or  may  be  a  deadly  sin. 


Your  words  may  be  a  blessing 

In  a  time  of  wrong  or  woe, 
For  if  the  fountain  is  kept  pure 

The  stream  will  purely  flow, 
And  often  troubled  hearts  are  soothed 

And  brought  to  sweet  accord 
By  "  a  soft  answer  "  unto  wrath 

And  a  humble,  loving  word. 


47 


A  word  may  be  a  blasphemy, 

A  word  may  be  a  lie, 
A  word  may  smirch  the  pure  young  heart 

With  a  stain  of  deepest  dye  ; 
And  a  word  may  speak  forgiveness 

For  a  sore  slight  or  wrong, 
A  word  may  be  a  heartfelt  prayer 

To  God  to  make  you  strong. 


With  words  ye  bless  your  Saviour, 

With  words  ye  tell  His  love, 
With  words  ye  speak  the  thoughts  that  rove 

Around,  beneath,  above  ; 
In  words,  as  well  as  in  the  heart 

Our  sin  may  be  confest, 
And  words  are  messengers  from  us 

To  the  hearts  that  love  us  best. 


For  blessing  or  for  evil, 
To  bewilder  or  to  teach, 

For  guidance  or  for  stumbling, 
A  mighty  power  is  speech ; 


48 


And  before  ye  fall  on  evil  ways, 
Now  while  your  life  is  young, 

Oh  !  set  a  guard  upon  your  lips, 
A  watch  upon  your  tongue  ! 


Search  the  Scriptures  for  your  counsel 

In  this  and  all  your  need  ; 
When  the  warning  of  our  Saviour 

One  of  His  children  reads 
They  will  surely  strive  for  singleness 

In  the  speech  of  every  day, 
That  a  double  tongue  may  not  be  theirs, 

But  their  Yea  shall  still  be  Yea. 


49 


SUNDAY. 

Child  !  as  each  week  there  comes  a  pause, 

A  hush  upon  thy  way, 
As  the  Sunday  stillness  breaks  the  week, 

What  dost  thou  with  the  day  ? 


'Tis  no  more  the  Jewish  Sabbath, 
With  fixed  rules  for  deed  and  word, 

'Tis  the  Lord's  day  to  the  Christian  ; 
What  dost  thou  for  the  Lord  ? 


What  would  the  Lord  have  of  thee  ? 

Almsdeeds  and  works  of  love  ; 
A  restless  will  made  like  to  His, 

And  a  heart  that  looks  above. 


50 


God  will  receive  thine  offering 
Of  simple  prayer  and  praise, 

He  will  help  thee  if  thou  strive  to  learn 
That  thou  mayest  keep  His  ways. 


It  was  for  thy  sake  Christ  lay  down 
Amid  death's  shadows  dim, 

He  loves,  is  waiting  for  thee  now, 
—  Dost  thou  remember  Him  ? 


V^- 


51 


•'JESUS  SAITH  UNTO  HIM,  I  AM  THE 
WAY,  THE  TRUTH,  AND  THE  LIFE." 

Many  words  we  speak  to  thee, 

Many  a  rule  is  given, 
That  thou  mayest  thy  birthright  win. 

Oh  !  young  heir  of  Heaven. 


Yet  one  rule  will  teach  the  whole, 

One  word  shall  abide, 
Child  !  in  all  thy  wants  and  ways 

Keep  by  Jesus'  side. 


Him,  thy  loving  Master, 
Him,  thy  tenderest  friend. 

Him,  the  Saviour  of  thy  soul, 
Follow  to  the  end. 


52 


Nought  shall  stop  thine  onward  way 

No  mischance  can  harm, 
So  thou  do  but  keep  within 

The  guiding  of  His  arm. 


53 


MORXIXG. 

The  night  is  o'er,  and  the  darkness 
Has  fled  like  the  dreams  of  night, 

Thanks,  Father,  for  the  morning, 
For  Thy  daily  gift  of  light. 


Ever}'  hour  a  blessing 

Comes  from  Thy  hand  to  me, 

Oh  !  in  the  joy  of  my  childhood 

May  I  use  them,  remembering  Thee. 


Give  me  such  love  of  Thy  children, 

]My  brethren  here  upon  earth. 
As  shall  make  me  not  hinderer,  but  helper, 

In  all  of  my  labor  or  mirth. 


54 


All  my  appointed  duty 

Give  me  the  heart  to  fulfill : 

Be  Thou  the  guide  of  my  footsteps, 
Be  Thou  a  law  to  my  will. 


Through  the  darkness  and  the  silence 
Safe  in  Thy  presence  I  lay, 

Now,  in  daylight  and  freedom, 
Leave  not  my  steps  to  stray. 


And  oh  !  when  I  stray,  forgive  me  ! 

Call  me  again  to  Thy  side. 
Make  me  Thy  loving  servant 

For  the  sake  of  Him  who  died. 


55 


EVENING. 


Another  day  is  numbered  with  the  past, 
Another  night  is  given  us  for  rest. 

Father,  my  spirit  at  Thy  feet  I  cast, 
Oh  !  gather  it  unto  Thy  loving  breast. 


Look  on  its  failures,  efforts,  and  mistakes, 
Look  on  its  inward  stubborn  roots  of  sin, 

See  how  the  law  that  it  accepts,  it  breaks. 
Lord  !  to  Thy  secret  presence  take  it  in  ! 


Nightly,  Thou  sendest  rest  to  all  the  earth, 
Sendest  a  time  for  silence  and  returning, 

Oh,  Father !  teach  me  all  the  holy  worth 
Of  the  still  hours  when  Thy  clear  stars  are 
burning. 


56 


Thou  givest  me  rest  that  with  the  day's  be- 
ginning 
I  may  rise  strong  and  fresh  for  the  new 
day, 
So,  purged  and  rested  from  its  frequent  sin- 
ning, 
May  my  soul  rise   prepared  for  its  strait 
way. 

Bless  those  that  love  me,  those  that  love  me 
not. 
Strengthen  the  feeble  and  uplift  the  griev- 
ing, 
Send  to  Thy  children,  in  whatever  lot. 

Riches,  and    peace,  and    strength  in  true 
believing. 

So  to  Thy  arms  my  body  I  commit, 

My  weary  body  to  Thine  arms  outspread  : 

Prepare  me  to  accomplish  what  is  fit. 

And  peace  and  pureness  watch  beside  my 
bed. 

THE    END. 


j^f  i ' 


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